U2 SPY PLANE AND DODGE CHARGER CHASE CAR - 4K

Three challenging days spent in Fairford trying to catch The B1 bombers currently deployed there bagged some tidy footage of the U2 Dragon Lady spy plane with its updated nose art. Its always great to see this plane taking off and landing with the assistance of the chase car which currently is a V8 powered Dodge Charger. I will upload the footage of the B1's in the following days.

[@bombaytaxidriver]

Incredible! Brings back happy memories too! I trained at Cranfield for CPL, and in 1989 my instructor took me over to RAE Bedford for circuits, told me to land full stop, got out on the taxiway engine running, and said "enjoy your first solo"! Also in the circuit at Bedford with me that day was a US U2! On completion of my first solo, I got congrats from tower, instructor, and the U2 pilot over the comms! I've been blessed indeed.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Must of been great times! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Dr.Pepper001]

I saw a U-2 take off from Patrick Air Force Base several years ago. A thing of beauty.

[@thatpointinlife]

That poor bastard... Flying over those B-1B's, probably thinking "Why couldn't that have been me?". 😅

[@DarylCook63]

With looks that only a mother could love, the U2 (and its namesake band) continues to “fly high”. I still question the Skunkworks’ choice of landing gear…unwieldy, anyone? Maybe the perilous landing technique precluded enemy capture -a built in “self destruct” mechanism?

[@steveaustin62]

The nosewheel you need when the main undercarriage is missing!

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Absolutely phenomenal. It's always surreal to see a pilot wearing an astronaut helmet... And the pressure on that guy doing the very last safety check... 😱 Keep up the great work. 👍🏼

[@ВалентинаШтым]

Ш

[@davidcole333]

I first saw the U2 at an airshow in California in 1978, I can't believe they're still flying. Very, very cool.

[@gjmob]

I know. Bono is getting really old now.

[@creatormaxi8324]

Today they use cheap baloon, it is more cool 😂😂😂

[@АлексейСеменцев]

А я увидел его в Москве, сбитый😅😅😅

[@Denis_NOT_Dennis]

How fricken amazing was that footage! What a great capture Dafydd - you're a legend mate. Thank you so very much. Cheers from Australia.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Many thanks, happy you enjoyed it 😎👍

[@stephenbrown1077]

Still amazing after all these years. Great video again Dafydd, thankyou 😊

[@lucferrari3109]

Amazing view when u r at 70.000 ft.Would love to see that. It is bad ass looking AC

[@davidjones517]

Not something you see very often. That was a pleasure to watch

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks David, happy you enjoyed it.

[@BlueJayKRO]

I watched these take off every morning and come back in every afternoon when I was at Akrotiri. The pace cars there were a Subaru and a Ford RS. The plumes of black smoke that they used to leave on takeoff was amazing. Awesome footage there buddy. 👍🏼

[@DafyddPhillips]

I would of loved to see the RS being used, do you remember which model? A big fan of all fast fords🏁. Appreciate you watching, many thanks 👍

[@BlueJayKRO]

@@DafyddPhillips Focus RS mkIII from memory and the Subaru was the Impreza. I’m also a fan of the RS and XR range. Had an XR3i myself years ago that was in concourse condition until it was unfortunately stolen and butchered.

[@beanhavok2287]

It's amazing the U2 still goes after all these years. Gary Powers was shot down 63 years ago!

[@Quinnikon]

What a fantastic job Driving a Dodge Charger and goading a U2 Pilot by tailgating him then pulling alongside him and exchanging a few pleasantries then flooring it ...... and not a Speed Camera in site !!!!....I never saw that job go up on the board in the Job Centre On a serious note you have my RESPECT 👍

[@nets1776]

Outstanding editing, you really tell the story well through sound and picture. That's very hard to do in a short format. Bravo yet again!

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you very much!

[@WildBillHabiki]

reminds me of my time at Osan AB, Korea in 1984. We had a U-2 unit called the Blackcat squadron from Beale in California. We had not one but two crash shortly after takeoff in 1984. My unit was tasked with cleaning up the spilled fuel. It was surreal standing in a rice paddy full of pieces of the U-2, not once by twice. Thanks for the vid. Super cool seeing the old girl again.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Hope the pilots hot out safely. Thanks for watching

[@billreal76]

It's remarkable how many antennas that plane has! And it's also remarkable how many decades this plane has been around. It outlasted the SR-71, I think.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Indeed 👍

[@penelopelgoss2520]

Thank you so, sooooo much for sharing!!! Nothing is seemingly the same as watching the Dragonlady take off and land. One in a Million! By the way, do you have any info you can share about her missions? China, Taiwan? Russia? Ukraine? Other places and countries?

[@DafyddPhillips]

Glad you enjoyed it. We watch her fly up into the clouds and that’s all we know. thanks for watching

[@1STGeneral]

Somethings are best unknown

[@robertbrigham1620]

30 years ago I lived next to Moffat Navel Air Station/NASA Ames Research Center in California and was home sick with the flu. I was used to P3 Orions coming and going, but for hours there had been a single really loud jet doing right-breaks/touch and go's at the field. I had never heard anything like it before so I finally got enough energy to get up and see what it was. It was the NASA U2 and they must have been training a new pilot and or landing support crew(s). Needless to say, you only do one full stop landing - the last one.

[@soupfork2105]

U-2 and B-1 in the same spot... Sure beats watching Strike Eagles all day!

[@WizzardPrang]

Absolutely amazing filming Dafydd. Incredible that something so old is still the best at what it does (whatever that may be 😉).

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks steve, I agree 👍

[@johnbmx4christ]

That was awesome. Thank you so much. I videod a u2 a couple years ago. nasa painted them white and they use them for weather. Can't wait to see those B1's.

[@유경재-o2q]

I respect the pilots who perform reconnaissance missions alone while wearing spacesuits at high altitudes for long periods of time and taking care of their physiological needs. I pray that you always remain healthy and happy.

[@fredtedstedman]

another case of a plane outlasting its own "replacement " ! ( from Swordfish which outlasted the Albacore.....to F-15 .which has outlasted the F-22 ) not to mention the numerous Dakota / DC3 "replacements " ) Thanks Daf !

[@Алексей-н7с9ъ]

Совешенная техника - это эстетическое наслаждение

[@mickdoc3605]

How can you find fault ,with perfection, not just the U2 but the excellent film work it just has to be DAFYDD simply superb as usual many thanks buddy !

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks mick. Appreciate you watching ✈️✈️👍

[@mmeeozzzaaa3421]

Love the paint job on the nose of the plane.

[@scottgorman7166]

I guess with a nose like that its poked in everybody's business? I thought this is a secret plane.....how'd you get pictures?

[@DafyddPhillips]

That a secret 😁

[@scottgorman7166]

@@DafyddPhillips 👍

[@vw2112]

you can drive to palmdale airport in CA and pretty much climb all over the one the have parked next to the SR71 and A12 at Blackbird Airpark still the same plane just not updated with all the new electronics.

[@scottgorman7166]

@@vw2112 yes I know I lived in Ca for 35 years...March AFB is another great static museum. I was just messing wit Dafydd.

[@beachcomberbloke462]

Love the nose job of the awesome Dragon Lady! Once again Dafydd you soar high and above other aviation channels.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Many thanks, appreciate you watching it. 😎👍

[@64Pete]

0:12 She looks a little goofy head-on, but so do I so what am I to say :) Thanks as always for sharing, it's appreciated. ✌🇦🇺

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank for watching Peter, appreciated 👍

[@tangerineRIDES13]

Pretty cool I kept waiting for vin diesel to jump out of the car onto the wing LOL 👍👍

[@planestrainswildlife]

Very nice Daf, 👍👌 I didn't know it was wearing new nose art when I was there, cool 😁

[@alixakablackcat3739]

Interesting plane for sure but ty for the up close viewing of it Dafydd.😮😁👍

[@DafyddPhillips]

A pleasure, thanks for watching

[@hollywinsman9464]

Beauty, elegance and secrecy. Very nice.

[@jayaustin3096]

Wow. What a treat to see that. And the amazing sound, incredible. Thank you for sharing

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@saintsi6997]

His busy a the moment. I love the training wheels for newbie!😂

[@tomharrington1393]

They are not training wheels.

[@Ljw48]

I had the privilege of riding in a chase car in 2016 it was quite a ride. The driver was a pilot too. Since the wingspan is so wide they can land at a much slower speed that other jets. I was trying o video with my phone so when he accelerated to catch the plane I lost the plane because I was watching it vs the camera. The pilot called out how far he was from the ground especially the last 10 feet. It was by 2 ft at a time then 1 ft. As others mentioned because of the long nose on the plane the pilot can’t see the ground . We got to see a plane in the hanger and all the way up to when they were getting stuff off the plane and the pilot getting out. There were of course things we couldn’t photograph but it was quite the experience

[@DafyddPhillips]

I bet it was a great experience. 👌

[@Paden616]

Love the Fluing Tigers nose art

[@UKAviationMovies]

Awesome video. Great to see the U-2 and the Charger up close. I can't imaged anyone would be able to get this close at Beale! 🤣

[@Homieman-nz6si]

i never seen a U-2 with a face painted on it, its kinda neat!

[@miskaknapek]

fantastic! this is just what I needed this morning. this will be a good day, having watched this. super sharp image - wouldn't have made out the markings on the nose from afar with less ;) good investment, that lens. thank you thank you ;)

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you.

[@Gerrit-Poort]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing it with us...

[@deleond1]

That U2 plane she is a beauty on the other hand if that chargers win I'll be getting a charger .

[@penelopelgoss2520]

TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you.

[@wolfrainerschmalfuss3515]

I see here at K-Town KC135 planes for landing here at Ramstein AB, they are over 60 years old and still doing the job peroperly!

[@jmpersic]

We Americans: Forget that Dodge Charger, check out that Toyota Hilux!!

[@kurttate9446]

The beautiful Dragon Lady.🙂

[@timmiller7589]

Interesting vid. So I’m too old for the flying, but I wonder if applications are available for driving the Charger??? Great video as always and an interesting assortment of military hardware…..

[@johnarnold893]

To drive the charger you have to be a Dragon Lady pilot.

[@timmiller7589]

@@johnarnold893 Didn’t hurt to ask, I guess. Certainly makes sense

[@oldspicey6001]

It's crazy that if you aren't from the US this thing could have been spotting your town as a target

[@rafaelexpurueguia3119]

Amazing!!!! After so many years it is still in service. Since 1957!!! Who will win? B52 or U2? bets are allowed 😉

[@DafyddPhillips]

That will be too close to call 👍

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

This is absolutely beautiful and a very cool shark nose art 😊👍

[@DafyddPhillips]

Many thanks Douglas

[@douglas_brighty_tan127]

@@DafyddPhillips much welcome Phillips !! :)

[@MinhNguyen-nl1gm]

Máy bay Mỹ chế tạo khỏi chê chỗ nào được. Phát minh người Mỹ rất tuyệt vời 🇺🇸👍

[@AlexvanNoije]

Awesome catch Dafydd 💪🤙

[@DafyddPhillips]

Many thanks, hope all is good with you ?

[@chinocampos4088]

U2 did a secret mission. Called Sunday bloody Sunday 😉

[@tawan5753]

I thought they were gonna chase the plane when its landing to try and put those training wheels back under its wings. All jokes aside though, how does that happen? Or did the U2 engineers say “F*** it” and decided to just let the plane lean over on one wing when its landing? That must cause some structural damage over time…?

[@DafyddPhillips]

The plane will coast to a halt and will list on one of its wings. There are titanium tips that so get replaced when significantly worn. The jockey wheels get replaced at full stop. Thanks for watching and apologies for missing out on the jockey wheel re assembly on this occasion.

[@tawan5753]

@@DafyddPhillips well thats just sloppy engineering

[@GetOutsideYourself]

Wow that plane looks old. But if it can still get the job done, why replace it?

[@berndhofmann752]

An extraordinary airplane! ❤❤❤❤

[@adrianmorris3772]

Great photography.🤗😺

[@DafyddPhillips]

Many Thanks for visiting👍

[@stretchedits]

Hi, a great video. So as the tiny wing wheels fall off on takeoff, do they land keeping the aircraft level until all the speed drops off and then gradually let the wingtip touch tarmac? Never seen a U2 actually come to a stop before. Thank and all the best Dave.

[@DeadChan67]

US Air Force keeping 1950’s aircraft designs in service, U2, B52, C130

[@lindaj5492]

Love the cartoon grinning shark-face on the nose! Missed seeing how it comes to a halt without its wing-wheels: what happens?

[@DafyddPhillips]

They re attach the jockey wheels that detached on take off then taxi back to the hanger. There are titanium tips on the end of the wings which prevents them from scrape damage.

[@lindaj5492]

@@DafyddPhillips Thanks! Landing on just central wheel(s) must be a bit like balancing on a tightrope: incredible skills & no room for error 😳

[@Tully3674]

Thank you for this video.

[@DafyddPhillips]

My pleasure, thanks for watching

[@dylanwagemans7718]

I wonder where they are still flying to?

[@xcel5203]

Over Disney World or Playboy Mansion .

[@AllDay3090]

The landing gear reminds me of the Harrier.

[@lindaj5492]

Amazing how a multi million spy plane can be so close to a public road.

[@FrankTichnor-un4td]

This one is his;thank you

[@donaldlong9259]

I remember the Air Force using El Caminos SS back in the 80s for chase cars.

Just friggen awesome -

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you.

[@markcarey8374]

Amazing !!

[@Chipona75]

Muy bueno Daffyd👌🏽 saludos desde patagonia

[@DafyddPhillips]

Gracias 😎👍

[@amcds2867]

Incredible how a 1950's airplane is still flying for the US military.

[@jaadow77]

The planes flying today are 1980s builds. Originally as TR-1, then redesignated U-2S.

[@amcds2867]

@@jaadow77 thanks for the feedback. The design is still a 1950's one.

[@irvan36mm]

Same with the B-52 (first flight-1952)

[@cesarrios6757]

It strikes me how it can land if you don't have the wheels of the wings when it takes off

[@gpbeck]

Like riding a bike.

[@veganguy74]

Outrigger wheels are under the wings on take-off, once it’s up to speed, the outrigger wheels drop off and are recovered. Aircraft then lands with retractable centerline wheels only and the wingtips can withstand the friction when it lands. Outrigger wheels are replaced to taxi the aircraft.

[@lensman5762]

Just think of a rope walker. Those wings act as the balancing rod.

[@JD-ws2cu]

The bottom of the wing tips have friction plates.

[@lensman5762]

@@JD-ws2cu Yes, but it can use them on landing, only after the landng speed is so reduced that the lift no longer supports the wings and they tip. Much like a glider.

[@الصقر-و1و]

15 seconds took off . 15 seconds flew in the air

[@FrankTichenor-pr3vq]

Wouldn't be able to gamble-october is an monarch

[@MrSunlander]

well done

[@قاهرهم-ه1ز]

سلاح الجو الأمريكي القوه الضاربه على الأرض، ،،،،،،مذهل

[@AZIFMIKAYRE]

B-1 in the shot❤

[@FrankTichnor-un4td]

The greatest modern affair;

[@davidorth4906]

And the tower cleared them to Flight Level 120.!!!

[@Michelle-hc4oo]

A very cool bird

[@МихаилВалюта]

And how are these wheels put back on the wings during landing? А как эти колёсики обратно на крылья одевают во время посадки?

[@DafyddPhillips]

The plane lands and comes to a full stop without the stabilisers. On the wing tips are titanium skids which wear and get replaced when needed. Once the plane comes to a full stop the ground crew will re attach the stabilisers and the plane can taxi with no issues.

[@archiecat4182]

Superb! ❤

[@DafyddPhillips]

Thank you.

[@Tichenor-rc8eg]

Keep it A+

[@МихаилВалюта]

Is this locomotive still flying? Этот паровоз ещё и летает ?

[@cfg7777]

I didn't know Bono owned a spy plane.

[@DafyddPhillips]

🫣🤣

[@MinhNguyen-nl1gm]

Chiếc máy bay U2 không lực Hoa Kỳ, Nhìn thấy hì hợm quá trời luôn.....🇺🇸👍

[@DonaldPhilbrick]

Lands on main gear and wings touch on skids at wingtip

[@deleond1]

Nice

[@Boeing767DriverAA]

Dragonlady in all her might

[@GregiiFlieger]

Awesome aircraft. Glad they removed all those dangling re streamers….

[@hppghh..724]

وعلى أطفالها للأبد وعلى أموالها و بيوتها للأبد وعلى سفارئها للأبد

[@FrankTichnor-un4td]

A+

[@donquijote7463]

MIG : HOLD MY BEER.

[@pbsggmbh4636]

ทำไมไม่ใช้เครื่องบิน-SR-71-blackbird-นะ-มันมีความเร็วมากกว่า-U-2-นี้หลายเท่าเลยนะครับ

[@xotleti]

So is this still being used by the military?

[@665Atom]

I think this is from call of duty black ops

[@damarlintangchannel7012]

Good👍

[@antoochibbo1355]

Im guessing this is not in the US given the toyota hilux pick up

[@DafyddPhillips]

It’s in fairford, England.

[@puirYorick]

Well, she's old and ugly but she has out-lasted her younger, sleeker and faster sisters and still has a job to do apparently. Safe travels, Dragon Lady!

[@hamshackleton]

The U2 used to be a pretty aeroplane, but now it has so many bits stuck on, it looks stupid.

[@coastroad_7886]

⭐️